BCR Communities is calling on the generous hearts of Bay and Basin residents to help combat rising food insecurity in our region.
According to Roh Holland from the BCR Community Services team, the local not-for-profit has seen a staggering 56% increase in requests for emergency food relief over the past 12 months alone.
“BCR has been responding to the local community for over 30 years but we’ve never seen the need for emergency food relief as high as it is right now – it has stretched our resources to the limit,” Roh said.
“The rising cost of living is putting additional strain on families, especially single parent families, older people, and individuals already doing it tough.”
BCR Communities has been a lifeline for many, providing essential items like fresh produce, pantry staples, and meal ingredients to those in need. But with cupboards running low, the organisation is reaching out to the community to help restock.
“We’re particularly in need of non-perishable items such as rice, pasta, canned goods, cereal, pasta sauces, snacks, tinned fruit and long-life milk – basically the ingredients to make a meal” Roh said.
“We also need other items like soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, sanitary items, toilet paper and even pet food.”
Food donations can be dropped off at the BCR Youth & Community Centre in Sanctuary Point, Monday to Friday. Local schools, businesses, and community groups are also encouraged to host food drives to bolster the cause.
“We were very grateful to the community members and local businesses who have already generously donated to our Christmas food hampers, Roh said, like Plough and Harrow who have donated baked goods all year, and the residents of the Basin Shores Estate who donated a large hamper of items to BCR from their own Christmas donation drive. Their kindness really made a difference to a lot of families over the holiday period.”
To learn more or find out how to help, phone 1300 222 748 or email info@bcrcommunities.com
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